"Traveling With The 99%": 8 Essential Items To Traveling In Economy Class

4. A Magazine Or Book To Make You Look Smart

Despite the fact that dressing up for a flight is a waste of time, I do understand that people need something during the dehumanizing, interminable experience of air travel that makes them feel at least a little better than completely worthless. So why not do what many people do, and conspicuously read The Economist or a Malcolm Gladwell paperback and pretend that other people are somehow impressed by your choice of airplane reading material? I have to think that upwards of 80% of The Economist's complete circulation is from airport sales to aspiring intellectuals who are patting themselves on the back for not buying the Maxim/Cosmo that they really wanted. Related sidenote: this principle also applies to peacocking items like guitars and tennis rackets. I know that when you carry a guitar through an airport, it's fun to pretend that everyone is watching you and wondering if you're a famous musician. I assure you, they are not, but if it helps you get through the day, you go right ahead and enjoy that daydream.